Wenatchee and Leavenworth Home Inspection Services

As a former emergency/hazmat responder the number one rule of the response was not to become a victim.  You cannot help anyone if you are the one that needs helps.

So on a recent home inspection I found another piece of old time Americana… the “HERO” fire extinguisher. This was like many of these devices that were used up till the 1950’s.

These were small fire extinguishing devices that came in several forms. In this particular version you have a tin can that you pull the tab and aim at the fire.

Here is an advertisement for this device, got to love advertisers. Hey only a buck 29!

Here is another version of the same type of device call known as a fire grenade. This specific one has a thermal link that also will engage the device.

The chemical in the grenade and can would be vaporized and extinguished the flames by inhibiting the chemical chain reaction of the combustion process via oxygen removal.

The chemical in these devices is carbon tetrachloride, this chemical was appropriate for liquid, solid and electrical fires. It was a common chemical used in extinguishers from the early 20th century to about the 1950’s.  CTC was also used as a dry cleaning agent, propellant, a solvent, a fumigant and as a refrigerant. Consumer and fumigant uses have been discontinued but may still be found in industrial uses.

There was one small issue though. The chemical carbon tetrachloride is toxic and acute exposures cause damage to the nervous system and internal organs. Though carbon tetrachloride is non-flammable when it is heated it creates phosgene gas (as well as other toxic gases). Phosgene gas is well known ”WWI Chemical Warfare Gas”.

So even though you think you will are going to be a HERO in this case you may just be another victim. The fire may be out but there is a good chance that you may be out also.

"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur..."

Red Adair

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

www.ncwhomeinspections.com                                           509-670-9572